Has Disney let Universal Catch Up In All Market Segments?

[wdwfreak]

Originally posted by HauntedMansionFan
Nope. The early magic hour is a perk given to Disney on-site guests, this happens before normal operation hours, so nothing is being taken away from regular day guests at the park that has been choosen to host the EMH. Now if Disney stated that their parks open at 9 every day but day guests couldn't enter until 11 so the on-site guests can enjoy everything all morning, then yes, it would be separation based on money. But because there is no effect on every guests that enters through the turnstiles, my answer is no on this question.

But instead of entering an empty park at 9am, they are entering a park that has already developed a wait a some rides, so technically, they are losing something. Not much, but something ...

 

[Patch'sD]

Girl Scout Cookies Vs Theme park. Doing good for Children Vs Doing good for Michael Eisner. Thats a great Comparision.

Here's Mine. You go to your favorite Restuarant where they prepare a meal that you can only find there. After time the price stays the same, but I takes longer for you to get a table, Service is much slower and the portion is smaller. Since this is your favorite meal you deal with it. More time passes, Service is even slower and Since this is Tuesday, you can't get the side dish you want with your yet smaller entree. When is the breaking point. If the Restuarant is still making a healthy profit do they care. If they start losing customer base and money, will they make a change yes. Also Who knows about what in terms of what happened the loyal customer or the walk in off the street. Is Disney foresaking it's loyal customer for the new customer.

I am not trying to compare Disney Vs anyone else. I view it as Disney is screwing there loyal customer to make a fast buck. I perfer Universal Becuase I like the attractions, Have had very few problems there, and love FOTL. You pay additional for it and it is well worth it. If Disney could figure out a way to do it , they would.

 

[morphi]

Not to mention that to help pay for EMH, Disney is hesitant to keep MK open an extra hour in the evening during which the non-resort guests COULD have enjoyed extra time in the parks. So I think EMH does impact non-resort guests. I don't think that's bad though.

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

Originally posted by Patch'sD
Girl Scout Cookies Vs Theme park. Doing good for Children Vs Doing good for Michael Eisner. Thats a great Comparision.

Thank you.

I am not trying to compare Disney Vs anyone else.

But you are and have, see two comments down.

I view it as Disney is screwing there loyal customer to make a fast buck.

Great, I feel the same about Universal.

I perfer Universal Becuase I like the attractions, Have had very few problems there,

And this is why I like and continue to go to Disney. But we wouldn't want to "compare" parks would we?

You pay additional for it and it is well worth it. If Disney could figure out a way to do it , they would.

Again, based on the number of rooms they couldn't.

Not to mention that to help pay for EMH, Disney is hesitant to keep MK open an extra hour in the evening during which the non-resort guests COULD have enjoyed extra time in the parks. So I think EMH does impact non-resort guests.

Really? I haven't heard of Disney closing any earlier. Why can't Universal offer the same then to their day guests as well?

But instead of entering an empty park at 9am, they are entering a park that has already developed a wait a some rides, so technically, they are losing something.

But at least everyone has equal chance to do all the rides that want. They don't have the same resort guests riding the same rides over and over and over, thus making their stand-by time even longer.

 

[curtisl]

Well, I've been in Orlando for the last 2 days and went to IOA for the 1st time yesterday. I wasn't expecting much, figuring I would see something like a 6 Flags, or Paramont which I hate with their zillions of coasters. I had visited Universal Hollywood 8 years ago and was very disappointed in them. I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the place! The theming was great, the rides were long and involved, the bathrooms clean, the stores all had different stuff. There were only 3 roller coasters, so I don't consider it a roller coaster park at all. I loved the place!!! The only problems I saw were a few staff people that weren't very cheery but most were very friendly. Spiderman's queue and ride was a blast! Loved the theming of Jurassic Park and Seuss Landing!!!

Went to Epcot today. World Showcase still great, but Future World needs work. The bathrooms were filthy!!! What's up with that? Didn't go to any of the stores in Future World because they still have the same Disney princess crap. Mission Space still not n open yet. Figment ride is way too short. Disney definitely needs to get off their rear. Universal has a new convert.

-curtis

 

[Patch'sD]

Where do I compare. Did I say the Disney is plagued with problenms, no? How is Universal screwing their customer. What are their cutbacks, please document. Are they Temporary or permanent. Ever take a gander at the 2002 Disney Annual Report. Take a look at the Financial Highlights for Theme Parks. See what it has to say about the cuts. " Costs and expenses, which consist principally of labor, costs of merchandise, food and beverages sold, depreciation, repairs and maintenance, entertainment and marketing and sales expense, decreased 2% or 122 million, driven primarlily by volume decreases, reduced marketing and permanent cost reduction initiatives across all segment business and the absence of pre-opening costs for Disney's California Adventure. These cost decrease were partially offset be higher employee benefit and insurance costs. "

But alas you are Disneyphite. The Disney company can do no wrong and wages their wrath on anyone who knocks the almighty Disney.

 

[ChrisFL]

Originally posted by Patch'sD
But alas you are Disneyphite. The Disney company can do no wrong and wages their wrath on anyone who knocks the almighty Disney.

That leads me to another point I'd like to make. It may be inaccurate to post the question that is the topic of this thread to a lot of die-hard Disney fans.

Now I have no problem hearing the (relatively unbiased views of) Fans of Disney, but I do seem to be noticing certain trends.

If you look at most of the threads on this board, you'll see mostly complaints about the cut-backs, cost-cutting, less chicken fingers, the less-than-par effort of recent attractions, theme parks, movies, etc.

If you look at the visitors on the USO message boards, you'll see about 90% positive views. Even the thread "What is Universal's Biggest Flaw?" drew mostly mild responses.

But when a Disney vs. Universal thread comes along, it seems like suddenly a lot of the standard people who post negatives about Disney all the time, suddenly come to the side of Disney, that "It's still way beyond anything else". I'm not sure I buy that argument.

I would say that most of the visitors to the USO boards are just guests and not regular members, as opposed to this message board.

I believe if we gave a poll from the standard tourist population, we'd see a more "independent" view.

 

[stevets]

I don't care if Universal builds a heaven on earth, I'll never give another penny to those America-hating, snail-eating, no-armpit-shaving @%*! french $%&@!.

 

[All Aboard]

ChrisFL,

I'd liken the Universal Board here on the Dis to either the Theme Parks board or the Community Board (where there is a lot of pixie dust and happiness with everything). Certainly not to the Rumors Board.

If anyone goes onto the Universal board with something negative to say, there's a good chance they'll meet a great deal of opposition (re-read the "biggest problem with UO" thread). Much like the pro-only WDWMAGIC boards do to folks even dreaming of making a negative comment about Disney.

Nothing wrong with that, they are fans - and quite big ones.

Here, we have a mix. But, there are quite a few vocal folks that are very displeased with things right now.

But, honestly, Universal has given its fans less to gripe about lately, it seems.

 

[Patch'sD]

Here, Here Well said. As for my French Loving Friend, I to will boycot the French, but not at the expense of American Citzens. At the this time I am delaying my trip to Euro Disney until the French come around.

 

[mojo-jojo]

"I don't care if Universal builds a heaven on earth, I'll never give another penny to those America-hating, snail-eating, no-armpit-shaving @%*! french $%&@!."

stevets that was quite possibly the worst post i have ever heard on the disboards. Your ignorance surprises me. But other than that i must defend Universal not the French. First off Universal is only half owned by the French company. Second off i think i should boycott all things that Disney because they have mor influence than Universal. They have a French section at Epcot, a New Orleans section with French influences, and even a theme park in France.

Oh and i better not tell you that Walt Disney was a member of the American Nazi party. Please before you post a pointless reply stevets please understand the facts

 

[stevets]

Originally posted by mojo-jojo
Second off i think i should boycott all things that Disney because they have mor influence than Universal. They have a French section at Epcot, a New Orleans section with French influences, and even a theme park in France.

That's your right. I, on the other hand, have nothing against French "culture" or French people or French traditions. I just refuse to give my money to a French company (or individual) because indirectly I'll be supporting the French government, which is virulently anti-American (and which I believe is responsible for whipping up much of the anti-American sentiment in the world today).

 

[ChairborneRangr]

Warning, Slightly Off-Topic Post

WOW! What a marathon thread! Go on vacation for a while and it is amazing what you come back to

What I don't get is the $$$ figures everyone is throwing around. I would never pay $50 for ANY theme park, even one of Disney's. I am taking my family in June 03. I already have everything lined up. Total cost of Park passes and Hotel for SEVEN nights in an onsite value resort, 4 day park hopper, +Disney Quest, + Blizzard Beach, +Typhoon Lagoon is $373 per person. Throw in airfare from Colorado and my total is $555 per person.

Question: Can Universal Studios even come close to that?

Some day I will visit USO and IOA as an add-on to a Disney trip. But knowing about "front of the line" I'll only go if I can stay onsite AFTER I've stayed onsite at Disney for a week. Disney has history for sure. The first time I went to Disneyland I was a toddler in a stroller. My kids (17, 15, 10, 6) have been to Disneyland 1-3 times depending on their age. And my 15 year old cheerleader went to nationals in 2002 at WDW. Now they all get to go to WDW and everyone is looking forward to it.

I'm going to quote my wife here... "anyone not able to have fun at Disneyworld needs professional help"

Having not been there, I've always viewed USO as slightly better than Six-Flags. I'll have to check it out for myself.

 

[KNWVIKING]

"I don't care if Universal builds a heaven on earth, I'll never give another penny to those America-hating, snail-eating, no-armpit-shaving @%*! french $%&@!."

.... Don't hold back, tell us what ya really think about them French'ies.

 

[ChrisFL]

Originally posted by ChairborneRangr
Having not been there, I've always viewed USO as slightly better than Six-Flags. I'll have to check it out for myself.

I never understood where this comes from. Just because the rollercoasters don't have a roof over them, suddenly people think USO is like an amusement park, when that couldn't be farther from the truth.

 

[ChairborneRangr]

I'm just telling you my perception from the past. I am always willing to update my opinion. And I do plan on going there at some point.

The main point to my previous post is this... Why would anyone pay retail price for passes at the gate. That is just throwing money away. Can USO provide 7 days of entertainment and accomodations for $373 per person? That works out to $54 per person per day including accomodations.

 

[ChrisFL]

Originally posted by ChairborneRangr
I'm just telling you my perception from the past. I am always willing to update my opinion. And I do plan on going there at some point.

The main point to my previous post is this... Why would anyone pay retail price for passes at the gate. That is just throwing money away. Can USO provide 7 days of entertainment and accomodations for $373 per person?

I'll be the first to tell you that UO isn't a 7-day experience yet, but there are (at least, last time I checked) 4-park adventure passes, which include USF, IOA, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild. And I also believe there are Busch Gardens versions included as well, someone with more up to date info could probably be more accurate.

Wet'n'Wild is just outside of Universal, and isn't themed, Universal just bought them out after IOA opened, but it is the best non-Disney water park in Orlando.

You can also check out the DIS sister site, USOInfo.com and post on the message board there if you have any questions about it.

 

[KNWVIKING]

You are describing the Orlando Flex Pass. Good for 14 days from first use. I think it's $178.00 per ticket. The 5 park pass,(Busch Tampa) is about $40.00 more. It really is a great deal.

 

[pheneix]

>>>I don't care if Universal builds a heaven on earth, I'll never give another penny to those America-hating, snail-eating, no-armpit-shaving @%*! french $%&@!.<<<

What the #@% ever. Just remember that when you are not supporting Universal Studios it is 13,000 central Floridians you're not supporting.

 

[Testtrack321]

Oh what savages we have become....